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Item NU 46378
Love Token - Ann Parkin, England, Great Britain, 1780

Summary

Love Token inscribed Ann Parkin, 1780 (AD). The token has been engraved on reverse of a George III halfpenny.

Love tokens were often commissioned by convicts before they were transported to Australia, as a memento for their loved ones. Itinerant engravers visited the prisons and hulks, finding a ready market for these tokens, which were made to order from smoothed-down coins.

Love tokens are evidence of the British Government's attitude to law and order and treatment of indentured labourers in a strict Government 'Assignment System' which provided cheap labour for the expanding British empire during the 1700s and 1800s.

About one third of migrants who came to Australia between 1830 and 1850 paid their own way. Convicts and settlers who came to Australia found that in comparison to Europe, conditions were very good and with hard work and determination they could prosper.

Physical Description

A round copper love token (30 mm) engraved on reverse of George III halfpenny. The obverse features a draped and laureate bust of the King facing right; around, GEORGIVS III REX. The reverse of the coin has been removed and engraved ANN / PARKIN / 1780 among leaves and lines

Obverse Description

Draped and laureate bust of the King facing right; around, GEORGIVS III REX.

Reverse Description

The reverse of the coin has been removed and engraved ANN / PARKIN / 1780 among leaves and lines.